Control device for cigarette packs

ABSTRACT

A cigarette pack includes a base portion and a cover pivotally connected to a top of the base portion. A neck portion extends from a periphery of a top opening of the base portion and the cover is mounted to the neck portion. A first hole is defined through the neck portion and a second hole is defined through the cover. The first hole and the second hole are located in alignment with each other when the cover covering on the base portion. A control device is connected to the base portion and has a hook which is controlled by the control device and movably engaged with the first hole and the second hole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for cigarette packs wherein the cover of the cigarette pack can only be opened by the setting of the control device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional cigarette pack includes a base portion with a space defined therein for receiving cigarettes therein and a cover is pivotally connected to the top of the base portion. The cover closes the open top of the base portion so that the to cigarettes will not drop from the base portion. The smokers open the cover and pick the cigarettes when he/she wants to smoke. Many smokers have experiences of trying to quit from smoking, although they fail many times. It is experienced that more than one step is to be taken to quit from smoking and the habit can be eliminated gradually.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide a cigarette pack that has a control device which controls the opening of the cover as desired so that the smoker cannot open the cover to get the cigarettes as that was before.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cigarette pack and comprises a base portion and a cover pivotally connected to a top of the base portion. A neck portion extends from a periphery of a top opening of the base portion and a first hole is defined through the neck portion. A second hole is defined through the cover. The first hole and the second hole are located in alignment with each other when the cover covers on the base portion. A control device is connected to the base portion and has a hook movably engaged with the first hole and the second hole.

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette pack wherein the cover of the cigarette pack is controlled by a control device so as to limit the smoker to get the cigarettes.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show a cigarette pack and a control device of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the cigarette pack with the control device of the present invention received therein;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the hook of the control device is engaged with the two holes in the base portion and the cover to limit the opening of the cover, and

[0010]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view to show the hook of the control device is disengaged from the hole in the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cigarette pack of the present invention comprises a base portion 10 and a cover 20 is pivotally connected to a top of the base portion 10. Cigarettes 30 are received in the base portion 10 and a neck portion 100 extends from a periphery of a top opening of the base portion 10 so that the cover 20 is mounted to the neck portion 100 when the cover 20 is covered on the base portion 10. A first hole 19 IS defined through the neck portion 100 and a second hole 21 is defined through the cover 20. The first hole 19 and the second hole 21 are located in alignment with each other when the cover 20 covers on the base portion 10.

[0012] A control device is connected to the base portion 10 and includes an electromagnetic member 12 and a hook 14 which is connected to the electromagnetic member 12 with a spring 13 connected therebetween. A circuit board 11 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic member 12 and the hook 14 by wires 15 and 16. A time setting member 18 which is a disk is connected to the circuit board 11 and has a shaft extending through a hole 17 in the base portion 10 so that the time setting member 18 is connected to an outside of the base portion 10 and accessed by the user.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 4, the electromagnetic member 12 is activated to attract the hook 14 to disengage from the second hole 21 of the cover 20 by using the time setting member 18 to set a desired time lap. In other words, the smoker cannot get the cigarettes in the cigarette pack except the electromagnetic member 12 is activated. Therefore, this cigarette pack is helpful for the smokers who try to gradually quit smoking.

[0014] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cigarette pack comprising: a base portion and a cover pivotally connected to a top of said base portion, a neck portion extending from a periphery of a top opening of said base portion and a first hole defined through said neck portion, a second hole defined through said cover, said first hole and said second hole located in alignment with each other when said cover covers on said base portion, and a control device connected to said base portion and having a hook movably engaged with said first hole and said second hole.
 2. The cigarette pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control device includes an electromagnetic member and said hook connected to said electromagnetic member with a spring connected therebetween, a circuit board electrically connected to said electromagnetic member and said hook, a time setting member connected to said circuit board to control said electromagnetic member to attract said hook.
 3. The cigarette pack as claimed in claim 2, wherein said time setting member is a disk and connected to an outside of said base portion. 